Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) confronted a disappointing defeat in opposition to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) of their latest IPL 2025 match, shedding by 50 runs. A major level of rivalry was the choice to have veteran MS Dhoni bat at No. 9, a transfer that sparked widespread criticism and confusion amongst followers and cricket consultants.
Throughout the match held at MA Chidambaram Stadium, CSK had been chasing a frightening goal of 197 runs however struggled early, shedding three wickets within the powerplay. Regardless of the dire state of affairs, Dhoni didn’t come out to bat till the sixteenth over, after the autumn of Ravichandran Ashwin’s wicket. By this time, CSK’s possibilities of victory had been slim, and Dhoni’s late cameo (30 not out) off 16 balls was deemed ineffective.
Cricket consultants react on Dhoni batting at 9
Dhoni’s unusually low batting place at No. 9 has drawn criticism from former cricketers and commentators.
Irfan Pathan was agency in his stance, stating he would by no means assist Dhoni batting so deep within the order.
I’ll by no means be in favour of Dhoni batting at quantity 9. Not excellent for workforce.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 28, 2025
Robin Uthappa questioned the technique, arguing that it didn’t make sense and declaring the missed alternative to enhance the workforce’s internet run fee.
Uthappa even steered that if Dhoni had batted earlier, he might need diminished the margin of defeat and minimized the web run-rate impression.
Vital win for RCB. A win on the fortress in Chepauk might be an enormous increase of their marketing campaign this 12 months. Dhoni coming at quantity 9 dint make sense in any respect. Him coming earlier may have helped CSK’s NRR of their marketing campaign this 12 months.
— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) March 28, 2025
Harsha Bhogle additionally appeared perplexed by the CSK workforce administration’s resolution to ship Dhoni after the autumn of the eighth wicket.
Dhoni at no 9 🤔?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 28, 2025
Additionally READ: IPL 2025 – Fans go wild as RCB humbles CSK to breach fortress Chepauk after 17 years
In the meantime, former India batter Virender Sehwag playfully teased Dhoni throughout a dialogue on Cricbuzz, joking that the CSK legend had come out to bat sooner than traditional, as he usually prefers the ultimate two overs.
“Jaldi aa gaye na” (He got here out to bat early), quipped Sehwag, sparking laughter among the many panel.
Ex-India cricketer Manoj Tiwary, additionally a part of the dialogue, chimed in, saying, “We had been joking that possibly he would stroll in at No. 10.”
Sehwag additional added, “When he got here in, 16 overs had been bowled. Often, he arrives within the nineteenth or twentieth over, so technically, he was early. Both he got here out to bat early, or his batters misplaced wickets too shortly.”
Nah that is so embarrassing😭😭 pic.twitter.com/0uShSG5N6S
— Suprvirat (@ishantraj51) March 28, 2025
